Tag Archives: Phil King

This week marked an important juncture in the 84th Legislative Session and also one of the busiest days yet. The House advanced legislation that will further secure our border, and the State & Federal Power & Responsibility Committee continued to look at ways to rein in the federal government.

It has been a very busy week in Austin. Committees have started to meet, and legislators are working hard to ensure we have a productive session. Here are some highlights from the last few days:Wise County DayThis week I had the privilege to introduce a resolution recognizing February 17 as Wise County Day at the Capitol. It was great to see so many folks from home in Austin. We had a very productive time working on issues important to District 61. I always enjoy seeing friends from the district. If you are ever in town please know the door is always open to constituents.

AUSTIN — State Rep. Phil King has been named next year’s national chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an assignment that will put the Weatherford Republican atop one of most influential and controversial national groups focused on state policy.

King, who joined the state House in 1999, is a longtime ALEC member who currently serves as the organization’s first vice chair. He will succeed the current chair, Iowa House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer.

King Says “No” To Benefits For Same-Sex Couples in Texas National Guard

AUSTIN, TX – Last week, State Representative Phil King signed a letter submitted by the Texas Conservative Coalition to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott supporting Texas Adjutant General John Nichols in his decision to withhold state benefits to same-sex couples who serve in the Texas Military Forces (TXMF).

“The Texas Constitution recognizes only a union between one man and one woman as a lawful marriage,” King stated. “I support and applaud General Nichols in his position to withhold state benefits from same-sex couples who serve in the Texas Military Forces and for upholding our Texas Constitution.”

Recently, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced his directive to extend family and partner benefits to same-sex couples for active US military personnel due to the U.S. Supreme Court decision that found Section II of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional. While TXMF is a state agency that is under federal authority in limited and well-defined circumstances, per the state constitution, the Adjutant General is bound by oath and duty to uphold laws in the State of Texas. Offering state benefits to same-sex couples who serve in the TXMF would be a direct violation of the Texas Constitution and Texas State Law.

A letter to Attorney General Greg Abbott, signed by Representative King and 48 other legislators, asks that the Attorney General issue an opinion in support of the Texas Constitution, which prohibits state agencies – specifically the Texas Military Forces – from recognizing same-sex marriage.

AUSTIN – Today, State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) successfully passed H.B 2767, a bill that removes impediments of water recycling in oil and gas production. The total water use for hydraulic fracturing in Texas has increased from about 11 billion gallons in 2008 to approximately 26 billion gallons in 2011.

For More Information
Contact: (817) 381-8282
For Immediate Release –
May 2, 2013

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King Passes Spending Cap Amendment

AUSTIN – Today, State Representative Phil King (R-Weatherford) successfully amended H.B. 7, a bill dealing with certain revenues and accounts, to put in place a more stringent spending cap for the legislature.

Texas faces its third year of a drought and our reservoirs are only 65 percent full, the lowest levels since 1990. The need for water is one of the highest concerns of the Legislature as our state is on track to experience the second worst drought on record. To illustrate the problem, Texas’s population is projected to jump from 25 million to 46 million by 2060. Within that time water supplies are estimated to decline while the needs of our residential, industrial, and agricultural communities substantially increase.

Otherwise, the debate was for the most part pro forma with the biggest change effected coming from Rep. Phil King who successfully made changes to the standards for sustaining a point of order.

In recent sessions, King and others have complained that it has become too easy to kill bills on procedural grounds, with frustration highest when lawmakers have waited until several hours into debate to introduce a point of order.